Austin Insider Blog

Brewery Tours & Taprooms in Austin

We can probably all agree on one thing: hops = happiness. So in honor of ales, lagers, pilsners, porters and more, we put back a few and compiled this beer-themed bucket list of must-visit breweries in and around town.

Because the best pilgrimages are to places with pints, naturally.

(512) Brewing Company
THE BEER: Extensive info about the 18 listed beers - including the Wit, Pale, IPA and Pecan Porter, which are together known as the "Core Four" - can be found here. But, you know: tasting > reading.

TASTES & TOURS: There are two tour options (11 a.m., 12:30 p.m.) most Saturdays, and $10 tickets are available for purchase here.

TASTES & TOURS: During tasting hours, you can drop by and grab a beer at the brewery. Actually, for $10, you technically get three beers. And a free glass. No RSVP required.

Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery
THE BEER: The house beers are designed by the brewers based on the wants of owners, and are broken down into three categories: Rational, Irrational and Finite. You can get the sweet deets here.

TASTES & TOURS: Black Star doesn't do tours/tastings, per se, but they do put on plenty of interesting events that include happy hours and tap takeovers.

Blue Owl Brewing
THE BEER: The folks at Blue Owl Brewing (led by Black Star Co-op alums Jeff Young and Suzy Shaffer) focus solely on sour mash beers. Their beer lineup includes the Spirit Animal, a sour pale ale; Van Dayum!, a sour red ale, and Professor Black, a sour cherry stout. Their goal is to bring sour beer to the masses by creating approachable styles.

TASTES & TOURS: Their tasting room on East Cesar Chavez is open Wednesday - Friday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Their "Behind the Tanks Brewery Tour" will also walk you through the sour-mash process and the different beer styles. Find info at blueowlbrewing.com

Circle Brewing Company
THE BEER: Circle Brewing goes back to the basics, building upon the principles of the German Purity Law of 1516 (Reinheitsgebot), and only utilizing four ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. Here you'll find four year-round beers, plus seasonal brews that vary by the... you know... season.

TASTES & TOURS: The taproom is open every day from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., while (free!) 45-minute tours take place at 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and sometimes include exclusive samples.

TASTES & TOURS: "Pay no attention to that brewmaster behind the curtain!" ...is what no one at all will yell at you during your visit to Independence. Come by the tasting room to see where the liquid magic is made and to try exclusive offerings during the following hours: Thursdays, 5-9 p.m.; Fridays, 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 12-6 p.m.

TASTES & TOURS: The tasting room is open Fridays from 4-10 p.m., Saturdays from 12-10 p.m., and Sundays from 12-6 p.m. Interested in a free tour? You can make that Jester King dream a reality at 6 p.m. on Fridays and 1:00, 3:00, and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Live Oak Brewing Company
THE BEER: Four Live Oak beers are offered year-round (including their popular Hefeweizen), while they also have an array of seasonal brews and limited offerings that are sure to please your palate.

TASTES & TOURS: The brewery is only open to the public when they are conducting tours (which ring in at $10 per person), and upcoming events and the link to purchase tickets can be found here.

Oasis, Texas Brewing Company
THE BEER: At Oasis, you'll have four smooth options to choose from all the time, plus - if you're lucky - the Lake Monster, which is brewed one batch at a time and, we're certain, tastes better than it sounds.

Real Ale Brewing Company
THE BEER: While this brewery is technically in Blanco, the beers are worth the journey. Think nine signature options available 365 days a year, plus bombers, seasonal releases, and brewers' cut beers. (This might require more than one journey.)

TASTES & TOURS: The taproom is open from 11:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday. For the rest of May, tours will run on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., while beginning in June, tours will run on both Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Check here for updates.

Rogness Brewing Company
THE BEER: Once you learn how to pronounce Pflugerville, we suggest heading there to visit Rogness Brewing Company and enjoy a few of their beers, which are brewed in small, handcrafted batches. Opt for one of the eight year-round creations, or (fingers crossed!) one of the 10 limited edition and seasonal options... the details of which kind of depend on the season.

TASTES & TOURS: Rogness is more of a production brewery, but if you want to get your beer straight from the source, you can come by their taproom on Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. and Fridays from 4-10 p.m.

Save the World Brewing Co.
THE BEER: Do good while you drink, um, good. This 100% philanthropic production brewery has four everyday beers "to enjoy today" plus six special occasion beers "to enjoy today or tomorrow." Personally, we suggest today... YOLO and all that.

TASTES & TOURS: The brewery is open Fridays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 12-5 p.m., and you can enjoy your beer - along with, thanks to their BYOF (bring your own food) policy, some snacks - either in the taproom or outdoors on the grounds.

Thirsty Planet Brewing Company
THE BEER: Three great beers are available all year, while you can get the low-down on what to sip from their seasonal selection here. (That was beer-induced poetry, by the way.)

TASTES & TOURS: Thirsty Planet is open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the tour schedule reservations can be found here. Or you could just take the virtual tour... if you're into that kinda thing.

Zilker Brewing Company
THE BEER: The beer lineup includes the Honey Saison (made with Round Rock honey), the Pale Ale, Session IPA, and Extra Special Bitter, a Texan take on an English classic. They recently launched their Coffee Milk Stout, featuring coffee from Austin roaster Summermoon, with hints of chocolate, caramelized sugar, and vanilla.

TASTES & TOURS: The Zilker Brewing taproom is situated across the street from The Grackle on East 6th Street. The taproom is open 4-10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, noon to midnight on Saturday, and 2-8 p.m. on Sunday. Find them at zilkerbeer.com